Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Homeowner files class action lawsuit to stop smart meters

by: Lloyd Burrell

Smart meters, aka wireless utility meters, even though never tested for their effect on human beings, are now being rolled out on a massive scale to measure a household's electrical, gas, and water usage all across the country and around the globe.

Nomi Davis says 'enough'. Enough of being coerced and intimidated by a company that has no regard for freedom of choice or living a life without fear and risk of possible dire health consequences. Davis, a fed-up homeowner who resides in Salt Spring Island, Vancouver has taken action against the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority to demand freedom of choice for all of BC Hydro's customers. Davis's class action lawsuit, filed July 25th of this year, addresses BC Hydro'sattempt to remove their customers' basic civil rights by using coercive tactics in order to implement their rigid smart meter installation program; a program that is intrusive and possibly life threatening.

Public fears well founded

Public fears about smart meter installations are well founded. They are backed by a growing number of medical authorities, such as those of the Santa Cruz County (California) Public Health Department, who are voicing concerns. These authorities are worried about the growing number of people who say they have developed electrical sensitivity (ES) and other health complaints. In many cases, their symptoms developed after the installation of wireless smart meters.

Smart meters emit a type of electromagnetic field called radio-frequency (RF) radiation. The International Agency for Research on Cancer(IARC), has clearly singled out RF radiation, as emitted by smart meters and similar wireless devices, as a possible Class 2B carcinogen. These type of radiation exposures have been found to contribute to DNA damage (an indirect link to cancer), and the creation of free radicals; molecules which damage cells and are associated with cancer.

Dr. Vini G. Khurana, neurosurgeon and Associate Professor at the Australian National University Medical School shares his concerns. "Adverse neurological effects have been reported in people who sustain close proximity to wireless meters, especially under 10 feet. If a smart meter is located on a common wall with a bedroom or kitchen, the RF exposure can be the same as being within 200 to 600 feet distance of a cell tower with multiple carriers." Smart meter radiation exposure is particularly dangerous due to the prolonged, 24/7, nature of the exposure.

Legal action is the only solution for some

The single best approach to avoid the installation of a smart meter is to choose the opt-out option. This may or may not be an easily accessible avenue to take depending upon the policy of the company installing the smart meters. Some investigatory action will determine whether or not a particular company provides a way out or if company policy dictates mandatory installation. If mandatory, there is no opting out without pursuing legal action.

There are a number of lawsuits currently in motion against smart meter installations. Court cases have already been won in Portland, Maine and Hawaii. In a recent lawsuit brought against Southern California Edison, the judge ordered the utilities company to pay for health damages or remove the meter.

Citizen rights

It is within a citizen's right and ultimately their power to choose a wired meter over a wireless smart meter. The right decision means a decrease in the exposure to dangerous RF radiation and the risks that come with that exposure.

About the author:Lloyd Burrell is the author of a new ebook entitled "How To Beat Electrical Sensitivity" which offers a solution to the growing number of people whose health is being compromised by exposure to wireless and similar technologies, see www.electricsense.com/3-free-chapters.html

Since falling prey to a violent reaction to his cell phone in 2002 he has spent the last 10 years researching the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on health. He now offers a complete solution on how to live a healthy life in our increasingly electromagnetic world.